What Amazon subscriptions cost and what they include
Amazon Prime is the main subscription Amazon offers consumers. As of 2024, it costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year if you pay annually. The annual plan saves you about $40 compared to paying monthly. Prime includes free two-day shipping on most items, access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music (ad-free streaming), and Prime Reading (rotating selection of books and magazines).
Amazon also offers Prime Video as a standalone subscription for $14.99 per month if you do not want the full Prime membership. This gives you only the video streaming service, not shipping or the other benefits. Some people choose this route if they already pay for shipping elsewhere or do not use the other Prime features.
A third option is Amazon Music Unlimited, which costs $11.99 per month for non-Prime members or $9.99 per month if you already have Prime. This is different from Prime Music — it gives you access to tens of millions of songs instead of a rotating catalog. Students can get Prime for $7.49 per month through Prime Student, which includes all the same benefits as regular Prime.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year and includes shipping, video streaming, music, and reading access.
- You can buy Prime Video or Music Unlimited separately if you only want one service instead of the full membership.
- Your subscription renews automatically each month or year unless you cancel it through your Amazon account settings.
- Amazon offers a 30-day free trial of Prime so you can test the service before you are charged.
- Canceling Prime stops future charges but does not refund money you already paid for the current billing period.
How to start an Amazon subscription
To sign up for Prime, go to amazon.com and look for the "Prime" link in the top navigation menu. Click it and select "Start your 30-day free trial." Amazon will ask you to sign in with your Amazon account or create one if you do not have one. You will need to provide a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or other payment option linked to your account.
During the free trial, you get full access to all Prime benefits. Amazon will not charge you anything for 30 days. After the trial ends, your subscription automatically converts to a paid membership and you will be charged on the same day each month (or year, if you chose the annual plan). You can cancel anytime during the trial with no charge.
If you want Prime Video or Music Unlimited only, the process is similar. Go to the product page for whichever service you want, select the subscription option, and follow the same sign-in and payment steps. These services do not include a free trial in most cases, though Amazon sometimes runs promotional offers.
How to manage or cancel your subscription
To see your active subscriptions, go to amazon.com, click on "Account" in the top right, and select "Your Subscriptions." This page shows every subscription tied to your account — Prime, Prime Video, Music Unlimited, and any others. You can see the next charge date, the amount you pay, and options to manage each one.
To cancel a subscription, find it on the Your Subscriptions page and click "Cancel subscription" or "Edit" next to it. Amazon will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. If you decline, the cancellation takes effect when ready. You keep access to the service through the end of your current billing period, then it stops.
If you cancel Prime mid-month, you do not get a refund for the unused portion of that month. The same applies to annual Prime — if you cancel three months into a year-long subscription, you lose the remaining nine months of payment. However, you can pause Prime for up to three months instead of canceling, which holds your membership without charging you.
What happens if you share your Amazon account
If you share your Amazon login with family members, they can use your Prime benefits on their devices. This includes free shipping, Prime Video, and the other perks. However, Amazon's terms say the account holder is responsible for all activity and charges. If a family member makes purchases or changes settings, it comes from your account and your payment method.
For families who want separate accounts but shared benefits, Amazon offers Amazon Household. This feature lets you link up to two adults and up to four children to one Prime membership. Each person gets their own login and can manage their own orders and recommendations, but they all share the same Prime benefits and payment method. You set it up in Account Settings under "Your Household."
Common reasons subscriptions renew when you do not expect them
The most common reason is that you forgot you had a free trial running. Many people sign up for the 30-day Prime trial, use it for a few weeks, and forget about it. When the 30 days end, the subscription automatically converts to paid and charges your card. To avoid this, mark the trial end date on your calendar or set a phone reminder.
Another reason is that you canceled a subscription but a different one is still active. For example, you might have canceled Prime Video but kept Prime itself, or vice versa. Check your "Your Subscriptions" page to see everything that is currently charging you. Some people also accidentally sign up for multiple subscriptions thinking they are managing one.
If you see a charge you do not recognize, go to "Your Account" and look at "Orders" or "Your Subscriptions" to find it. If you truly did not authorize it, you can contact Amazon customer service through the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any Amazon page. They can investigate the charge and issue a refund if it was unauthorized.
How to use your subscription benefits
Prime shipping applies automatically at checkout. When you add an item to your cart, Amazon shows you the shipping speed — items with a Prime badge ship free with two-day delivery (or faster in some areas). You do not need to enter a code or do anything extra. Just check out normally and the free shipping applies if you have an active Prime membership.
To watch Prime Video, go to amazon.com/primevideo or read the Prime Video app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. Sign in with your Amazon account and start watching. The app is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and most other streaming devices. You can read shows and movies to watch offline on the mobile app.
Prime Music and Music Unlimited work through the Amazon Music app or website. read the app, sign in, and start playing songs. Music Unlimited gives you on-demand access to millions of songs, while Prime Music gives you a smaller rotating catalog. Prime Reading is accessed the same way — go to amazon.com/primeading, sign in, and browse the available books and magazines.
What to know about student Prime and other special offers
Prime Student costs $7.49 per month and includes all the same benefits as regular Prime. To sign up, you need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment from an accredited university. The free trial for Prime Student is six months instead of 30 days. After the trial, you pay the discounted rate until you graduate or your student status expires.
Amazon sometimes runs promotional offers for Prime, such as discounted first months or extended free trials during holidays. These offers are usually advertised on the Prime sign-up page or in emails if you have an Amazon account. There is no code to enter — the discount applies automatically when you sign up during the promotion period.
If you receive certain government benefits, you may be able to get Prime for $5.99 per month through the Prime Discount Program. This requires verification through a third-party service that confirms your benefit status. You can find information about this program on the Prime sign-up page under "Other ways to save."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my money back if I cancel Prime mid-year?
No. Amazon does not refund unused portions of your subscription. If you paid for a full year and cancel after three months, you lose the remaining nine months of payment. However, you can pause Prime for up to three months instead, which stops charges without canceling permanently.
What is the difference between Prime Music and Music Unlimited?
Prime Music comes with Prime membership and offers a rotating selection of about two million songs. Music Unlimited is a separate subscription (or add-on to Prime) with access to tens of millions of songs on-demand. If you listen to a wide variety of music or want to play specific songs anytime, Music Unlimited is the better choice.
Do I have to use my Prime benefits or will I lose them?
No, you do not have to use them. Your Prime membership stays active as long as you keep paying for it, whether you use the shipping, video, or music or not. You can use any combination of the benefits or none at all — there is no requirement to use them to keep the subscription active.
Can I change from monthly Prime to annual Prime without losing my current payment?
You can switch to annual Prime at any time, but Amazon will not credit your monthly payments toward the annual price. You would pay the full annual amount upfront. However, you can cancel your monthly subscription and then sign up for annual Prime to avoid paying for both at once.
What happens to my Prime membership if I do not use my Amazon account for a long time?
Your subscription continues to charge you as long as it is active, even if you never log in or use any of the benefits. Amazon does not pause or cancel subscriptions due to inactivity. If you are not using Prime, you need to manually cancel it to stop the charges.